But goals are football's most precious currency and in Billy Sharp Sheffield United possess a striker whose account this season is comfortably in the black.

Sharp's hat-trick, which saw the youngster fulfil his lifetime ambition to score in front of Bramall Lane's Kop, not only shattered the aura of invincibility which has grown around the visitors since Lakashmi Mittal's arrival but also demonstrated exactly why Kevin Blackwell has persevered with his precocious talents.

The weight of expectation has not always sat comfortably on Sharp's shoulders since he returned to the club he supported as a boy following a two-season sabbatical at Scunthorpe.

However, against disparate and disillusioned opponents, Sharp seized the opportunity to illustrate exactly why his manager regards him as potentially the most ruthless and clinical finisher in the division.

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"The gaffer has shown so much faith and belief in me since taking over and that's been a real help," he said.

"He's believed in me, played me and because he's done that it's given me the confidence to go out there and play my own game.

"I came to the club on a real high and, although last year didn't quite go as planned, I got myself back into the team and got a few goals towards the end.

"But this us definitely my best ever day in the Blades shirt and the best we've played since I came back.

"My dream was always to play for United and to score one at that end.

"Now I've done that I've got to go into the next game determined to do it all again and keep my place in the side."

Belief is a key component of the well-oiled machine Blackwell has constructed since his February appointment and it swept through the stadium when Sharp put United ahead after barely three minutes.

His second, just before the quarter-of-an-hour mark, effectively ended QPR's hopes of mounting a fightback and the third, during the opening exchanges of the second half, ensured the scoreline reflected United's dominance.

"That was exactly how I want us to go about our business," Blackwell admitted afterwards. "Especially at home.